‘Last chance’ after car, jewel theft spree in Bay

Marcus Anthony Jessop, 20, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Bega Local Court to possessing methamphetamine (ice), driving while disqualified, two counts of stealing, and four counts of car theft.

Court documents said Jessop's most recent offence occurred on the night of December 6, when he was found in possession of $300 worth of ice in Batemans Bay.

However, his crimes extended back to May, when he was caught driving with a suspended licence in Moruya.

In September, Jessop swiped three nine-carat gold rings with diamonds, a gold wedding ring, a wallet, torch and car keys before stealing four cars – a Ford Laser, Holden Frontera, Peugeot and Toyota Camry.

In sentencing Jessop, Magistrate Doug Dick warned him to stay away from ice and to “start listening”.

“There’s no future in it, stay away,” Magistrate Dick said, referring to the insidious drug. I’m also the Coroner and I have dealt with some very horrific ice deaths. 

“One was a man who locked himself in his room and stabbed himself to death. Another was a young lady who tried to cut out her own heart. 

“Start listening. This is your last chance to do the right thing and stay out of jail.”

Magistrate Dick said Jessop had been assessed as suitable for an intensive corrections order (ICO), “but with reservations”. 

Corrective services told the court a tracking bracelet or anklet was being considered.

Jessop was fined $600 for drug possession. His 12-month suspended sentence for driving while disqualified was revoked and he was re-sentenced to a further 12-month suspended sentence. He received 18 months’ jail, with both sentences to be served by way of the ICO, for car theft and larceny.

The order includes a mandatory 32 hours of community service a month and the potential for random searches and drug and alcohol testing.